Native Seed Collection and Sowing with Chris Nilan of Barkaboom Native Plants

Join native plant nursery owner Chris Nilan as we learn the ins and outs of growing native plants from wild-collected seeds. Chris will cover the ethics and benefits of seed collection, how to determine seed ripeness and viability, seed harvesting, processing, and storage, as well as the various methods of achieving germination, from winter sowing […]

4th Annual Community Reading of Rip Van Winkle

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

The 4th Annual Community Reading of Rip Van Winkle will take place on Sunday, October 9 at 2pm. Get to know the “true” story behind sleepy Rip, his dog Wolf and the mysterious ninepin bowling Dutchmen. Vintage and antique Rip Van Winkle books, films and art will be on display. Rip Van Winkle himself just […]

Richard Sears Walling presents “The Lost Mondore Village of Prattsville”

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

Thursday, February 22 at 6 pm Zoom Presentation The Lost Mondore Village of Prattsville program details the forgotten community of African American families who once lived in this small village nestled in the Western Catskills. Descending from enslaved parentage, the family intermingled with local folks, creating a locally unique social dynamic. One of the descendants […]

Susie Barstow and Her Circle: The Women of the Hudson River School

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

    In conjunction with the Clinton Historical Society of Oneida County. Presented by Nancy Siegel, Professor of Art History at Towson University. This is a Zoom presentation. Why do we not know more of Susie M. Barstow (1836–1923), a prolific artist and notable figure in the field of American landscape painting? Nancy Siegel, Professor […]

Catskill Mountain House & Environs: Romantic Poetry of the Catskills

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

Led by Town of Hunter Historian Dede Terns-Thorpe & MTHS Board Member Cyndi LaPierre at the MTHS Visitors’ Center. Dede, Cyndi and others will be reading from writings by Thomas Cole, William Cullen Bryant, James Fenimore Cooper, Washington Irving, and other romantics who are continuing that style into the present time. We are setting this […]

Birdwatching with Nancy Allen

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

Leader:  Nancy Allen Difficulty:  Easy Description:  Birdwatching at the MTHS pond for all experience levels. Binoculars, field guide, and a sketch pad are nice to have, but not required. Park at the MTHS parking lot. It's just a short walk to the pond area.  Join us for part or all of the time.  Heavy rain […]

Ron Gabriele Presents “War Dogs”

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

Ron Gabriele presents “War Dogs”, a Memorial Day tribute to the brave and tireless canine companions of our military and law enforcement. Mr. Gabriele will examine the history of dogs on the battlefield, the role that dogs play in today’s American military, the similarities between the military dog and the police dog, and finally the role […]

Hike: Rips Retreat and Alligator Rock at North South Lake

North South Lake

Saturday, June 1 Meeting at 9:30 AM at the South Lake Beach parking area. Make the first right turn after checking in at the North-South Lake entrance gate (there is a day use fee of $10 per car). Please register by emailing mthsdirector@mths.org or calling 518-589-6657. Hike leader: Bob Gildersleeve Difficulty: Easy (good for families […]

“Conquer the Soil” with Abra Lee, Public Horticulturalist

Mountain Top Arboretum 4 Maude Adams Rd., Tannersville, United States

Co-sponsored with the Mountain Top Arboretum. This is an in-person lecture held at the Mountain Top Arboretum. Education Center. Registration is required: https://www.mtarboretum.org/events/conquerthesoil Abra Lee is poised to captivate audiences as she shares from her upcoming book, a remarkable profile of 45 hidden figures in horticulture – Black women and men whose exceptional careers in the […]

Screening of Casa Susanna Documentary and Community Conversation

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

Join WMHT and MOUNTAIN TOP HISTORICAL SOCIETY for a free film screening and community conversation.  In the 1950s and ’60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place to express their true […]

“Pine Orchard: Lair of the Mountain House” Presented by Jim Planck

Mountain Top Historical Society 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls, New York, United States

2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Catskill Mountain House Hotel. In the first of two presentations, Jim Planck, Vice-President of the Greene County Historical Society, will describe the history leading up to the construction of one of America’s first resort destinations. Jim Planck is also the current editor of the GCHS […]

Eve of the Strawberry Full Moon Hike at North South Lake

Hike Leader:  Ryan Penny Difficulty:  Moderate (2.5 miles with a some rock scrambles) Description:  Hike to Sunset Rock (for the sunset) and then Lookout Rock or Artist’s Rock (for the moonrise).  The moon will be full at 9:08 PM.  The hike will begin in the North South Lake eastern parking lot by the beach around […]